Care Homes Cook Up Golden Ticket For Macmillan Coffee Morning

The kettles, cafetieres and percolators were on and the freshly baked cakes were served as Colten Care residents and team members had fun on the Macmillan Coffee Morning.

All 21 of the provider’s homes in Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex and Wiltshire welcomed relatives, friends and community visitors for the annual fundraiser in aid of people affected by cancer.

Chefs took inspiration from Willy Wonka and made sure that among the tasty treats and pastries on offer at each home was a ‘Golden Cupcake’.

This prize delicacy contained an edible filling of gold leaf, sugar balls or cherry, with lucky recipients winning bottles of bubbly or boxes of chocolate.

As well as the cupcake fun, homes hosted live music, competitions and talks on the work of Macmillan.

At Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, an auction of promises including a garden tour and the chance to walk with alpacas raised a remarkable £950.

At Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, residents and staff invited members of the village branch of the Women’s Institute to join them for a cuppa at an art-themed get-together.

“We have some extremely talented artists here at Woodpeckers,” said Companionship Team member Sian Harris. “They were more than happy to share and discuss their artworks and, at the same time, see what the WI have been doing.”

Items from the Woodpeckers residents included a triptych by Karen Ball, inspired by the gardens of Stourhead and sculptor Barbara Hepworth’s garden in Cornwall, all hand embroidered in silk and cotton.

Elsewhere there was cupcake fun, get-togethers and competitions at Colten Care homes such as The Aldbury and Canford Chase in Poole.

A married couple at Canford Chase, Peter and Audrey Hay, won a coffee voucher after they correctly guessed the number of coffee beans in a jar while a resident’s visiting relative won the Golden Cupcake prize.

Companionship Team member Justin Corder said:
“The morning was filled with laughter, games and a sense of camaraderie as all involved engaged in activities designed to raise money for Macmillan.”

Staff at Colten Care’s Colten House head office in Ringwood also held a Macmillan Coffee Morning for colleagues and visitors.

Proceeds from the Macmillan Coffee Morning help to give those affected by cancer emotional, financial and clinical support.

Since its launch across the UK in 1990, the annual fundraiser has raised more than £310 million.